Today, we'll be talking about hazy pale ales, from what gives the style it's distinctive taste and appearance, to specific techniques used in the brewing process, and how they differ from your classic pale ale.
Whether you're new to the style or currently mid sip and just want to understand your pint a little better, here's a run down for you!
Table of Content
What is a Hazy Pale?
In short, a hazy pale is a unfiltered, less alcoholic variation of the classic pale ale.
Characterised by a cloudy, juice-like apprarance, a soft mouthfeel makes a hazy a super "sessionable" choice amongst drinkers.
The Origins Of The Hazy Pale Ale
This style of beer is most closely linked to breweries in Northwestern America, specifically Vermont and Massachusetts. The hazy pale ale emerged first in the early 2000s and went on to gain popularity during the 2010s. Hazy pale ales alongside hazy IPAs have now moved beyond niche taprooms to become a force to be reckoned with in craft beer!
Tasting Notes
Hazy Pales have a juicy, fruit-forward flavour profile. When drinking, you'll often recognise specific flavours of mango, passionfruit, orange and grapefruit.
Despite using high volumes of hops, the bitterness is low to moderate.The goal when brewing a hazy pale ale, is to maximise flavour and aroma while minimizing the harsh Alpha acids that often cause drying bitterness or hop-burn caused by the large amount of hops within the beer.
Appreance
A hazy pale ale is typically described as having a straw, blonde, or light-gold colour.
Hazy Pale Ale Brewing Techniques
Late Hopping/Whirlpool:
In the brewing process, the hops are added after the boil, often at lower temperatures, which extracts oils without creating a bitter beer.
Double Dry Hop (DDH):
It is often that brewers double dry hop a hazy pale ale to maximize the tropical, super juicy hop aromas without making the beer bitter. If you're unfamiliar with the term, double dried hopping involves splitting hop additions into two separate, smaller doses usually during active fermentation and again afterwards to enhance aroma complexity. You can read more about dry hopping in the blog below!
Unfiltered/No Fining Agents:
When brewing a hazy pale ale, brewers typically skip filtration and avoid using fining agents. This helps the beer retain its soft, silky texture, while keeping more of the hop oils and suspended yeast that give it its distinctive character and full flavour.
Why Hazy Pale Ales Are So Popular?
Hazy pale ales are popular because they offer familiar, approachable flavours that appeal to a wide range of drinkers, making them ideal for longer, relaxed sessions. They’re especially welcoming for those new to craft beer, sitting between traditional styles and easy-drinking options.
With a lower ABV, typically ranging from 4–6%, they are more sessionable and less intense. Their distinctive hazy, golden-orange appearance adhering to the “haze craze.” The "haze craze" refers to the massive, ongoing popularity of hazy or "murky" beers in the craft beer industry.
Main Differences Between Hazy Pale Ales and Traditional Pale Ales
Hazy Pale Ales:
- Cloudy, milky, opaque appearance.
- Low bitterness.
- Flavours of intense fruit like mango and pineapple.
- Soft, pillowy, creamy texture.
Traditional Pale Ales:
- Clear and bright and appearance.
- Moderate to high bitterness.
- Piney, earthy, herbal flavours.
- Crisp and refereshing with a lighter body.
Hazy Pales We Make At Full Circle
Rotator - Hazy Pale - 5.2%
Of course, we had to make one of our beloved cores a Hazy Pale!
Rotator starts off with juicy, fruity Citra and a burst of citrus and tropical fruit notes. It is rounded off by the stone fruit, earthy character of Idaho 7 giving this beer the perfect balance.
If you're after the perfect example of a Hazy Pale showcasing all of it's classic flavours, try it now by ordering it on our webshop, or alternatively, it's always pouring in our taproom for you to taste.
Food Pairings
If you’ve got a few hazy pale cans in the fridge and need some dinner inspiration, or you’re at the pub or restaurant and spot our beer on draught here are a few food pairings that go down an absolute treat alongside a hazy pale ale.
Spicy/Savory Pizzas
Fatty & Fried Foods
Cheese
BBQ Meats
Spicy Food
Enjoy a delicious pairing of hazy pale ales and freshly made pizza in our taproom at Hoults Yard. Follow us on Instagram for the latest serving times and to explore our full menu!
